Assessment of Waste Disposal Methods, Hygiene Practices, and Awareness among Informal Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri Metropolitan Area, Nigeria
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Abstract
This study provides an in-depth assessment of waste disposal methods, hygiene practices, and awareness among IDP residents in selected informal Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps within Maiduguri Metropolitan, Borno State, Nigeria. The research was necessitated by the growing concerns surrounding public health and environmental safety in informal IDP settlements, which host thousands of individuals displaced by insurgency. A total of 400 respondents were sampled using structured questionnaires, while additional insights were gathered through interviews with key stakeholders and direct field observations. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple percentage distributions to present a clear understanding of prevailing sanitation challenges. Findings indicate severe inadequacies in sanitation infrastructure across the camps. Waste management practices were also found to be substandard. Open dumping (45%) and burning of waste (24%) remain the dominant disposal methods, contributing to environmental pollution and creating breeding grounds for disease vectors. Consequently, the prevalence of sanitation-related illnesses is alarmingly high. Diarrhea (44%), typhoid fever (26%), cholera (16%), and skin infections (14%) were commonly reported among camp residents, underscoring the direct link between poor sanitation and adverse health outcomes. The study concludes that informal IDP camps in Maiduguri Metropolitan face critical sanitation and public health challenges that demand urgent, targeted interventions. It recommends collaborative efforts by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, humanitarian actors, and community leaders to improve sanitation infrastructure, ensure access to safe drinking water, establish effective waste management systems, and strengthen health education campaigns. These measures are essential for safeguarding the well-being of displaced populations and mitigating the public health risks associated with poor sanitation
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